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About 4-H

The grouped 4-H icons - head, heart, hands, health

The 4-H Youth program strives to improve the quality of life for Mississippi 4-H'ers by developing the potential of young people and by providing "hands-on" (experiential) educational programs. Program priorities identified include leadership development, life skills training, developing positive self-esteem, and empowering volunteers. Programs are delivered through local county Extension offices to volunteer leaders. Learn more about how to join. 

The 4-H Symbol

4-H is best identified by its green four-leaf clover with an H on each leaf. The four Hs on this emblem stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. These words emphasize the basis of the four-fold development of young people involved in 4-H.

Head: 4-H'ers focus on thinking, making decisions, and understanding and gaining knowledge.

Heart: 4-H'ers are concerned with the welfare of others and accept the responsibilities of citizenship and developing attitudes and values.

Hands: 4-H'ers use their hands to learn new skills and develop pride and respect for their own work.

Health: 4-H'ers develop and practice healthy living physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially.

The Four Essential Elements of 4-H

Mastery - By exploring 4-H projects and activities, 4-H'ers master skills to make positive career and life choices. 4-H provides a safe environment to make mistakes and receive feedback, and young people can discover their capabilities while meeting new challenges.

Generosity - By participating in 4-H community service and citizenship activities, 4-H'ers can connect to communities and learn to give back to others. These connections help young people find and fulfill their life's purpose.

Independence - By exercising independence through 4-H leadership opportunities, 4-H'ers mature in self-discipline and responsibility, learn to better understand themselves, and become independent thinkers.

Belonging - Through 4-H, young people can develop long-term consistent relationships with adults other than their parents and learn that they are cared about by and connected to others. 4-H gives young people the opportunity to feel physically and emotionally safe in a group setting.

4-H History

An image of 4-H'ers in a corn field.
This image shows young people holding a 4-H banner.
This image shows a man and child in a field.

4-H grew out of the progressive education movement in America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Rural school principals and superintendents wanted to teach their students about the material they would need to succeed in the business world.

At the same time, agricultural colleges and experiment stations were accumulating scientific knowledge that could improve productivity and the standard of living for farmers, but farmers showed little interest in these "book farming" methods. These professors thought that teaching farmers' children improved agricultural methods might allow the information to reach the farmers.

Rural school principals and superintendents teamed with agricultural college researchers to form corn clubs in most eastern and southern states at this time.

W. H. "Corn Club" Smith was instrumental in forming Mississippi's first corn clubs. In 1907, Smith received a franking privilege and a salary of $1 per year from the United States Department of Agriculture. This was the first time the USDA had been involved in a youth program and established a three-way partnership of county, state, and federal governments working together.

While other states had corn clubs before Mississippi, none had the federal partnership Mississippi had. This is the basis of Mississippi's claim to be the birthplace of 4-H. 

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News

Seven young children playing with legos in a small pool of water.
Filed Under: 4-H September 26, 2024

Mississippi’s 4-H program reaches youth with a variety of interests.

Several adults and children gather around an educational booth hosted by a man in a crawfish suit.
Filed Under: 4-H, Family, Insects August 15, 2024

PICAYUNE, Miss. -- School groups, nature enthusiasts and the public can enjoy two fun-filled days of celebrating the environment, ecosystems, wildlife and insects at the Mississippi State University Crosby Arboretum in Picayune. BugFest is set for Sept. 20 and 21. The event offers insect-related displays, interactive exhibits, games and crafts. Biologists, naturalists, entomologists and other experts from Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama will host booths and give presentations on butterflies, bats, caterpillars, pollinators, spiders, crayfish, native plants, native and exotic arthropods and more.

Success Stories

Six people, including two women, three girls, and one boy, wearing maroon polo shirts and smiling at the camera.
Volume 10 Number 2

She knew she wanted to teach even when she was just a kid, but Dr. Molly Nicodemus also realized pretty quickly that she wanted to teach older students at the college level. Now an associate professor in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at Mississippi State University, Nicodemus has embraced a new teaching role with adolescents and teens as a volunteer leader for the Winston County 4-H Horse Club.

A large group of people standing on a covered patio.
Volume 10 Number 2

In late February, Mississippi State University hosted the 2024 National Floriculture Forum, an annual conference held at different locations around the country. 

A man, smiling, standing outside and wearing a blue suit with a white-striped red tie.
Volume 10 Number 2

Andy Berry has many roles—Mississippi state senator for District 35, including Copiah, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, and Simpson Counties; executive director of the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association; cattle farmer; and former Lawrence County 4-H’er.Andy Berry has many roles—Mississippi state senator for District 35, including Copiah, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, and Simpson Counties; executive director of the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association; cattle farmer; and former Lawrence County 4-H’er.Andy Berry has many roles—Mississippi state senator for District 35, including Copiah, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, and Simpson Counties; executive director of the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association; cattle farmer; and former Lawrence County 4-H’er.

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